Woman, man charged in Mark Jackson extortion case

MARK JACKSON EXTORTION CASE

Updated 12:06 am, Friday, June 29, 2012

Photo: Lance Iversen, The Chronicle

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Golden State Warriors' head coach Mark Jackson sits alone on the bench during the 2nd period during their game with the San Antonio Spurs Thursday, April 26, 2012, in Oakland, Calif. The Warriors are the first team in history to start five rookies in a NBA game. less

Golden State Warriors' head coach Mark Jackson sits alone on the bench during the 2nd period during their game with the San Antonio Spurs Thursday, April 26, 2012, in Oakland, Calif. The Warriors are the first ... more

Photo: Lance Iversen, The Chronicle

Woman, man charged in Mark Jackson extortion case

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Golden State Warriors coach Mark Jackson said Thursday that he had been the victim of an extortion attempt by an ex-stripper who authorities say threatened to release nude photographs of the married former NBA star.

The former stripper, Alexis Adams, 28, and an acquaintance, Marcus Shaw, 40, both of Atlanta, were arrested and charged this week with extorting thousands of dollars from Jackson. The charges were filed in U.S. District Court in Oakland.

In court records, the FBI described the target of the alleged extortion plot only as "a prominent member of the public who now works in Oakland." But in a statement Thursday, the Warriors said Jackson had confirmed that "he and his family" were the victims of the alleged scheme.

"Although not condoning his previous actions that led to the extortion attempt, the Warriors fully support Coach Jackson," the team said.

Jackson, 47, is the father of four and co-pastor of a nondenominational Christian church in Southern California with his wife of 22 years, Desiree Coleman. They started the church in their home about three years ago and now rent a meeting space on Sundays for a congregation of about 350.

Last June, the Warriors hired Jackson, who played 17 years in the NBA. He led the team to a 24-43 record in his first season as a coach, tied for seventh-worst in the league. He did not return a phone call Thursday seeking comment.

In an affidavit filed in federal court, an FBI agent said Jackson had a nearly-yearlong affair with Adams. When it started six years ago, Adams was working at a New York strip club, and Jackson was an analyst on telecasts of New Jersey Nets games.

During the relationship, Jackson sent nude pictures of himself to Adams, investigators said.

When Jackson made clear that he wouldn't leave his wife, Adams called Coleman, told her about the affair and showed her some of the "compromising photographs," FBI Special Agent Beth Alvarez wrote in the court affidavit.

On April 3 of this year, a stranger approached Jackson at a hotel in Memphis and showed him a folder containing similar photographs of the coach, Alvarez wrote.

The man, whom investigators later identified as Shaw, also showed Jackson a CD that he said contained recordings of voice-mail messages Jackson had left for Adams, authorities said. Shaw told Jackson that he had found the photos and recordings in a storage locker that he bought for $3,000, the affidavit said.

When Jackson asked Shaw what he wanted, he replied, "I want to be made whole," the affidavit said. Shaw allegedly added that he "wanted money to fix his teeth and to get his car out of the impound lot."

Jackson eventually gave Shaw $5,000 in cash in exchange for the folder with the photos and the CD, which he then destroyed, authorities said.

On April 20, Jackson's wife received an e-mail from Shaw with the photos of her husband and a demand for more money, the FBI said.

Jackson notified the Warriors of the alleged extortion scheme, and together they contacted the FBI.

Agents began monitoring e-mails between Jackson and Shaw, with the coach's knowledge. During those conversations, Jackson offered Shaw $200,000 "to keep this quiet," the FBI affidavit said.

In one e-mail, Shaw allegedly told Jackson, "I am not in business of playing games, just securing adequate compensation in safeguarding your reputation from your inappropriate actions and behavior as a Christian, husband, father and public figure. You did this, I just happen to have pictures and voice recordings. My question to you is, what is it worth to you?"

A review of cell phone records showed numerous texts and phone calls between Adams and Shaw, according to the FBI. On the same day Jackson paid $5,000 to Shaw, Adams sent Shaw a text message reading, "Concentrate and f- him up! He is a fake ass man of god," Alvarez's affidavit said.

Shaw sent a message to Adams in which he said Jackson had given him two tickets to a Warriors game against the Memphis Grizzlies. Shaw added the notation "smh," common text shorthand for "shaking my head," indicating disgust or disappointment.

Adams was charged with conspiracy to commit extortion. She is free on $25,000 bond. A number for her was not accepting messages Thursday.

Shaw was charged with extortion and was still being held Thursday. He has a robbery conviction for which he served 12 years in prison.

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